Interesting to note: the only person I've ever known to hate River like that also agreed that The Train Job made a better first episode than Serenity. I disagree wholeheartedly on both points. And on pretty much everything else these folks have to say. It does seem like the first person is there just to provide the voice of negativity that seems so prevalent on the internet.

OK, this is a pet peeve of mine. Am I the only one in the world who thinks that Mal's problem with Inara's profession isn't the sex but the Guild? That he sees being under the Guild as a type of oppression/slavery similar to how he views being under Alliance rule?

He obviously doesn't have a problem with sex as a profession, given how he interacts with Nandi. But Nandi is an independent businesswoman (she does the job, and she gets paid, just like Mal) who doesn't subjugate herself to Guild rules.

Mal's problem is with people controlling other people. Heck, he even spells it out - first we see how he feels about the slavers in the pool hall scene, and later he tells Inara that he objects to how Atheron acts as if he owns her. Does the point need to glow like Serenity's backside for people to stop going on and on about the exact wrong thing like happens in this review?

OK, this is a pet peeve of mine. Am I the only one in the world who thinks that Mal's problem with Inara's profession isn't the sex but the Guild? That he sees being under the Guild as a type of oppression/slavery similar to how he views being under Alliance rule?

He obviously doesn't have a problem with sex as a profession, given how he interacts with Nandi. But Nandi is an independent businesswoman (she does the job, and she gets paid, just like Mal) who doesn't subjugate herself to Guild rules.

Mal's problem is with people controlling other people. Heck, he even spells it out - first we see how he feels about the slavers in the pool hall scene, and later he tells Inara that he objects to how Atheron acts as if he owns her. Does the point need to glow like Serenity's backside for people to stop going on and on about the exact wrong thing like happens in this review?

Whew. I feel better now.

mnspnr | May 24, 18:23 CET

I have to agreed with this idea to a large extent, since I do think Mal's main issue with Inara's work is about something other than sex in itself. He may not go on about any conquests he has had (a la Jayne) but between his night with Nandi, actually letting Jayne visit brothels and agreeing to help out the Heart of Gold shows he can accept sex as business.

I've long felt Mal's behaviour had a deeper meaning to it, since his politics definitely run toward the small govt. model where any organizations are there mainly for admin purposes and the nitty-gritty should be left up to those affected by a situation directly. Now certainly Inara in herself and what she represents vis a vis Alliance society and culture is a big sticking point/temptation, but I gotta back the concept of Mal really not being thrilled over how the Guild operates and manages its members' actions....